Leaving the grotto, Ji-woo, Min-jun, and Eun-woo found themselves back in the bustling training grounds. The atmosphere was electric, with players honing their skills and strategizing for the upcoming tournament.As they walked, they overheard a group of players discussing a strange rumor. It seemed that a haunted tower had recently appeared on the outskirts of the training grounds. Whispers spoke of ghostly apparitions and eerie sounds emanating from the tower.Intrigued, the trio decided to investigate. They followed the directions given by the players and soon found themselves standing before a dilapidated tower, its stone walls covered in moss and ivy.A chill ran down Ji-woo's spine as she approached the tower. The air around it felt heavy and oppressive, as if something sinister lurked within."Are you sure this is a good idea?" Min-jun asked, his voice slightly hesitant. "I'm getting a bad vibe from this place."Eun-woo, ever the level-headed one, reassured him. "We're together. We can handle anything."With renewed confidence, they stepped into the tower's entrance. The interior was dark and damp, with cobwebs hanging from the ceiling and a musty smell permeating the air.As they ventured deeper into the tower, the air grew colder, and the sounds of creaking floorboards and rustling leaves grew louder. Ji-woo, using her Soul Link, sensed a presence, a malevolent force that seemed to be lurking in the shadows.Suddenly, a ghostly figure appeared before them, its form translucent and its eyes glowing with an eerie light. The figure was tall and thin, with long, bony fingers that reached out towards them.Ji-woo, her heart pounding, stepped forward. "Who are you?" she asked, her voice trembling.The figure did not respond, but its eyes, filled with malice, fixed on her.Min-jun, sensing the danger, cast a fireball at the figure. The fireball exploded, but the figure simply materialized again, unscathed."This isn't going to be easy," Eun-woo said, his voice grim. "We need to work together, use our strengths to overcome this thing."Ji-woo, remembering the lessons she had learned from Naiad, focused on her empathy. She reached out with her Soul Link, trying to connect with the figure, to understand its motivations.The figure resisted at first, its anger and hatred palpable. But Ji-woo persisted, her empathy radiating like a beacon of light. Slowly, the figure's resistance began to weaken.As Ji-woo continued to connect with the figure, she began to understand its story. It was the spirit of a knight, who had been killed in battle centuries ago. His death had been unjust, and his spirit had been trapped in the tower, consumed by anger and hatred.Ji-woo listened patiently, offering the knight a sense of peace and understanding. She told him that his anger was understandable, but that it was ultimately hurting himself more than anyone else.The knight, touched by Ji-woo's compassion, began to let go of his anger. He realized that he had been trapped in a cycle of hatred for far too long.As the knight's anger dissipated, his form began to fade. He thanked Ji-woo for her kindness and understanding, promising to find peace in the afterlife.With the knight's spirit at rest, the tower was no longer haunted. The atmosphere lightened, and the oppressive feeling disappeared.Ji-woo, Min-jun, and Eun-woo emerged from the tower, feeling a sense of accomplishment. They had faced a daunting challenge and emerged victorious, not just through their combat skills but also through their compassion and understanding.As they continued their journey towards the Ascension Games, they knew that they were stronger together, their bond forged in the crucible of adversity. They were ready for whatever challenges lay ahead, confident in their ability to overcome them, not just with their swords and spells, but with the power of their hearts.